Process for producing continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites
OwnerJeffrey Greason, Daniel DeLong +1inventors
InventorsJeffrey Greason, Daniel DeLong, Douglas Jones
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Abstract
A method and system for reinforcing a fluoropolymer with continuous fibers are provided. The method comprises pulling a tow of fiber through a dispersion bath to impregnate the tow fibers with a fluoropolymer. The method further comprises drying the impregnated tow, followed by baking off any surfactant residue. The method further comprises consolidating the impregnated particles into the exterior and interior voids of the tow fibers.
Claims31
A method for reinforcing a thermoplastic material with continuous fibers, the method comprising:
- moving a tow of fiber through a dispersion bath to impregnate the tow fibers with a thermoplastic;
- drying the impregnated tow;
- baking the dried impregnated tow;
- and
- consolidating the baked impregnated tow, wherein the tow is continuously moved as it is being impregnated, dried, baked and consolidated.
A system for reinforcing a thermoplastic material with continuous fibers, comprising:
- a dispersion bath for impregnating a tow of fiber with a thermoplastic;
- a drying element for drying the impregnated tow;
- a baking element for baking the dried impregnated tow;
- a consolidation element for sintering thermoplastic particles together and forcing them into interior and exterior voids of the tow fibers;
- and
- a collecting element for continuously moving the tow through the dispersion bath, the drying element, the baking element, and the consolidation element, as the tow is being impregnated, dried, baked and consolidated.
A method for reinforcing a thermoplastic material with continuous fibers, the method comprising:
- moving a tow through a co-extruder to impregnate the tow fibers with a thermoplastic;
- and
- consolidating the impregnated tow by moving it through a consolidation element, where the tow is continuously moved as it is passing through the co-extruder and the consolidation element.
A system for reinforcing a thermoplastic material with continuous fibers, comprising:
- a co-extruder for wetting and impregnating a tow of fiber with a thermoplastic;
- a consolidation element for sintering the impregnated thermoplastic particles together and forcing them into interior and exterior voids of the tow fibers;
- and
- a collection element for continuously moving the tow through the co-extruder and the consolidation element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.